A fish out of water
English Idiom
Meaning: Feeling uncomfortable or out of place in a particular situation. It's like being in an unfamiliar environment where things don't come naturally.
Origin: The idiom 'A fish out of water' has been used since the early 1600s. It likely originates from the observable fact that fish cannot survive outside their aquatic environment, which vividly illustrates the feeling of being out of one's element.
Examples
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When Sarah moved to Japan, she felt like a fish out of water due to the cultural differences.
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During his first week at the new job, Mark was a fish out of water, struggling to understand the new systems.
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As an introvert, Emily felt like a fish out of water at the crowded networking event.
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The country boy felt like a fish out of water when he first arrived in the bustling city.
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He was a fish out of water in the art class, never having held a paintbrush before.
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Despite her enthusiasm, Jane felt like a fish out of water in the advanced physics seminar.
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When the football player joined the ballet class, he was a fish out of water.
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In the high-stakes corporate world, the recent graduate felt like a fish out of water.
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Attending the opera for the first time, the rock musician was a fish out of water.
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After switching from a PC to a Mac, Laura felt like a fish out of water navigating the new system.